“I have an idea of something really special we could do for our five year anniversary,” Brian told me a year or two ago. “But it’s pretty expensive.”
“Me too! It would be really expensive too…” I sighed. “But more than anything, I’d really, really like to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Florida.”
“Oh,” Brian looked relieved. “I was thinking we’d go to Europe.”
“Or that,” I gulped. “That sounds good!”
Yesterday was our five year anniversary. I’d been making plans for it off and on over the last couple years. First, I thought we could have a vow renewal ceremony. It would be like the small, outdoor wedding we didn’t have, with just a handful of our closest friends, in a beautiful garden. But that takes a lot of planning, and right now, just because of where we are in life, it would be a very small number of friends.
Then of course, I wanted to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. And then Europe. And then Wizarding World again. Then I realized that Gringotts roller coaster and being eight months pregnant don’t mix. That was a sad day.
Maybe we could at least visit San Diego (no more vacation time). Or a hotel in Scottsdale? (We’d have to find a dog sitter, hotel reservations on short notice are expensive, especially after we’ve been spending money getting ready for the baby). We could take cute couple photos (not talented enough).
At least, we could go out for a fancy dinner, come home and watch our wedding DVD, and swim in our pool – maybe with some candles around the patio for extra ambiance. But as it turned out, one of the casualties of moving four times in five years is that we somehow lost our wedding DVD. And on the way home from dinner, we were both falling asleep in the car, so we decided against an evening swim in favor of just going to bed.
“Is this really us now? After five years, this is a romantic evening for us?” I said as we got ready for bed, but as it was leaving my mouth, I couldn’t help but start laughing.
Brian laughed too, “Yeah, this has been our cheapest anniversary celebration yet!”
Five years ago, I couldn’t have guessed what life would be like. All the adventures we would have, the ups and downs, jobs worked, lost, and gained, apartments moved into and out of, the Christmases here and in Iowa, comings and goings of people in our lives, family illnesses and sudden deaths, births and celebrations, memories painful and sweet, that have made up our adventures in Arizona.
And now, we’re here in our own house, with our dog, waiting for our little boy to arrive in about a month. Who knows what the next five years will bring!
As I climbed into bed last night, situating my body pillow to support my swelling belly and sore back, watching Brian’s shoulders rise and fall next to me with his deep breathing while he slept, I thought, it’s really amazing how different life is than you expect … how different, and how wonderful.
Just for fun, here’s some of my favorite marriage posts from the last five years:
Our One Month Marriage Anniversary – so young!
Reflecting on 2010 – so many great memories.
Back in the Day – This one still cracks me up!
A Year of Celebration – a recap of 2012.
Attack of the Monster Bugs – this is real married life!
A New Adventure – introducing Sirius Black.
The Christmas Crafts I Did Make – and our really big new adventure!
Happy Anniversary babe! I’d pick you again, and choose to do it all over with you. Here’s to many more adventures!
